woodiewood1 said:Aggie_Fire said:
What some of you are not accounting for is that 87% of the Texas population is within 3 hours of College Station. You can have a state convention in the Triangle of Texas, and the majority of your attendees are just a morning drive away.
I think plenty of Texas are willing to drive a few hours to go to a convention. Flying to another city to go to a convention takes 3 hours by the time you drive to the airport, leave your car, fly to the next city, rent a car, drive to you hotel/convention center. Yup, that is at least 3 hours.
I personally have driven to conferences in San Antonio, Austin, and the D/FW area and the drive didn't make a difference to me. But I've lived in Texas all my life...we're used to driving. It's a big freakin state...but yet 87% of Texans live with 3 hours of here. Isn't that wild that 27 million people live within 3 hours of B/CS??
It's funny how some are saying...who would drive to CS? It's so hard to get here! It's so expensive to fly in!! Pretty sure on a hot summer day in 1 month, at least 85K people will show up to watch a football game against UTSA, and then again the next weekend for another non-conference game.
Ever think that part of the reason we have so many fans come to all of our games, rain or shine, crappy season and all, is because our game is less than a 3 hour drive? I think it has a lot to do with it, plus we're all a bunch of die-hard sunshine pumpers. But our location is very ideal and probably the most accessible university in all of Texas
The same demographic positives could be said for Waco, Conroe and other locations. Those cities have much more airport options than we do, Also, they have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
Having put on about 40 conferences on a previous job of persons from about 1000 to 5,000, the only times I used facilities in BCS was at the Hilton and only if it was a conference sponsored by A&M or connected in some fashion such as the Texas Forestry Association. Other venues we used were in Galveston, Waco, Kerrville, San Antonio, Brownsville, and Dallas. We always had a review questionnaire after the conferences and the overwhelming choice was Galveston,
City Council will just not take NO for an answer on Convention Center
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woodiewood1 said:
Also, [Waco, Conroe, and other locations] have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
That's what we're trying to change!!!
People who keep saying A&M is a draw, in what way is it a draw?
Football games? Outside of a UTSA or ACU or Sam Houston, which games have tickets available that aren't crazy prices on the resale market?
Baseball? Mostly sold out.
Basketball? Yeah, visitors could get basketball tickets. But I don't think A&M basketball is drawing out of town visitors to College Station unless it's someone coming to see the visiting team.
I'm curious which part of the university y'all think people want to come visit from out of town.
Football games? Outside of a UTSA or ACU or Sam Houston, which games have tickets available that aren't crazy prices on the resale market?
Baseball? Mostly sold out.
Basketball? Yeah, visitors could get basketball tickets. But I don't think A&M basketball is drawing out of town visitors to College Station unless it's someone coming to see the visiting team.
I'm curious which part of the university y'all think people want to come visit from out of town.
People at the university want to be able to stay home for conventions? There is not any "draw" here.
Maybe they could have a fire focused one yearly. Maybe a couple other things around TEES or TEEX.
That still leaves a whole lot of open dates, and if the university really wanted to do the ones I mentioned, I have to believe they could pull that off easier.
The reason places like Vegas are popular:
1. Cheap flights nationally and internationally
2. Lots of hotel room availability
3. The extracurricular activities
Two and a half things we don't have. Depending on the weekend, #2 can be iffy.
Maybe they could have a fire focused one yearly. Maybe a couple other things around TEES or TEEX.
That still leaves a whole lot of open dates, and if the university really wanted to do the ones I mentioned, I have to believe they could pull that off easier.
The reason places like Vegas are popular:
1. Cheap flights nationally and internationally
2. Lots of hotel room availability
3. The extracurricular activities
Two and a half things we don't have. Depending on the weekend, #2 can be iffy.
AggiePhil said:woodiewood1 said:
Also, [Waco, Conroe, and other locations] have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
That's what we're trying to change!!!
You are going to have to do more than throw up a building to attract people to visit the area for any length of time in competition with those that I mentioned, scheduled and managed meetings at unless you give such incentives and discounts that you are operating at a huge loss,
I do think the types of organizations that were surveyed (screenshot below) as part of whatever work this consultant did are the types of organizations that would be looking to host in a place like College Station. Smaller groups with lower budgets that can't afford big city prices where members are able to drive to the destination. These types of organizations are much smaller than the huge ones with crazy budgets that go to Miami or Las Vegas.
I am certainly not arguing in favor of the convention center, but I feel that those focused on the airport or lack of exciting amenities are missing the mark a bit as the organizations and trade shows that are looking for that don't appear to be a part of who they are factoring in on using this facility. As someone who has been to a few of these organizations shown below events over the years, they are often in less than exciting destinations (McAllen, Wichita Falls, Abilene, etc.) and very no frills.
I am certainly not arguing in favor of the convention center, but I feel that those focused on the airport or lack of exciting amenities are missing the mark a bit as the organizations and trade shows that are looking for that don't appear to be a part of who they are factoring in on using this facility. As someone who has been to a few of these organizations shown below events over the years, they are often in less than exciting destinations (McAllen, Wichita Falls, Abilene, etc.) and very no frills.
I dug through the Waco Convention Center calendar. My thinking was similar distance from an airport, major college town, and about the same about to do.
It 80% local events that exist in BCS and are just being held in other facilities currently. 10% large events that are private for example weddings and quinceaneras. 10% events that center around bringing in local vendors to sell to the general public under a theme.
Building this makes zero sense but to find some common ground:
1. Offer a tax abatement on the facility.
2. Have the voters approve a bond to create a lien to construct 50% of the facility with private funding providing the other 50%.
If they can't find someone to do that, there is no reason for the city to do it. If they build it and it fails, the city gets a convention center for half the value it would have cost the city.
It 80% local events that exist in BCS and are just being held in other facilities currently. 10% large events that are private for example weddings and quinceaneras. 10% events that center around bringing in local vendors to sell to the general public under a theme.
Building this makes zero sense but to find some common ground:
1. Offer a tax abatement on the facility.
2. Have the voters approve a bond to create a lien to construct 50% of the facility with private funding providing the other 50%.
If they can't find someone to do that, there is no reason for the city to do it. If they build it and it fails, the city gets a convention center for half the value it would have cost the city.
The university is a draw, it can be lost on us who've been here for more than four years. Driving uber the last 6 years has afforded me to consistently every day meet people who've traveled all over the world to be here. They want to see the university, they want to feel part of the 12th man in some aspect shape or form. It's the largest public university and people want to feel apart of that.
The library is absolutely a huge draw and as a Bush Masters student I may be bias, but a pretty dang good museum that people enjoy and if here on a conference would probably love seeing.
Let's set the numbers aside for just a second, let's talk about the draw factor that people have been caught up by.
Do I think it'll be at a 71% use, eh, unlikely. However, we serve as the hub for many rural areas around us. Let's say if there's 50 events a year at the convention center then we'll say half are actually conventions or conferences people in the state or country attend. So the other half would be events for the people who are here, imagine a pretty kick butt veterans car show (I ran car shows for awhile so it came up first) or like councilman Yancy said the LEGO expo, touring exhibits, shows, concerts, plays, and yes maybe even very optimisticly a boat show.
Where I see people getting held up is that you see convention center and think of suit and tie folk doing their business, but what I'm hearing is a multi use facility that truly could benefit the locals as much as the people just visiting. As much as I love the sketchy carnival in the mall parking lot, I'd love something else to experience a few times a year.
Adding the numbers back in, this 100% without question should NOT happen without a bond vote. It would be our (the tax payer) building and unless we the people truly bought in to what it could be for the future it shouldn't happen.
However, I would challenge even the most critical skeptics to use some creativity and tell me there not at least 1 show or concert or event that could happen there that you would enjoy with your family or kids? Obviously that not enough of a reason to blow tax payer dollars, nor is that what I'm saying, but we have a very unique community and it draws people in. Might as well benefit from it outside of 8 weekends a year
In my own young optimistic perspective
The library is absolutely a huge draw and as a Bush Masters student I may be bias, but a pretty dang good museum that people enjoy and if here on a conference would probably love seeing.
Let's set the numbers aside for just a second, let's talk about the draw factor that people have been caught up by.
Do I think it'll be at a 71% use, eh, unlikely. However, we serve as the hub for many rural areas around us. Let's say if there's 50 events a year at the convention center then we'll say half are actually conventions or conferences people in the state or country attend. So the other half would be events for the people who are here, imagine a pretty kick butt veterans car show (I ran car shows for awhile so it came up first) or like councilman Yancy said the LEGO expo, touring exhibits, shows, concerts, plays, and yes maybe even very optimisticly a boat show.
Where I see people getting held up is that you see convention center and think of suit and tie folk doing their business, but what I'm hearing is a multi use facility that truly could benefit the locals as much as the people just visiting. As much as I love the sketchy carnival in the mall parking lot, I'd love something else to experience a few times a year.
Adding the numbers back in, this 100% without question should NOT happen without a bond vote. It would be our (the tax payer) building and unless we the people truly bought in to what it could be for the future it shouldn't happen.
However, I would challenge even the most critical skeptics to use some creativity and tell me there not at least 1 show or concert or event that could happen there that you would enjoy with your family or kids? Obviously that not enough of a reason to blow tax payer dollars, nor is that what I'm saying, but we have a very unique community and it draws people in. Might as well benefit from it outside of 8 weekends a year
In my own young optimistic perspective
But those are the exact reasons some are using to blow hundreds of millions of dollars on something that really isn't necessary. Then add to that the millions that would be lost in keeping up the facility
Again how many more boondoggles do you need in town?
Again how many more boondoggles do you need in town?
Why not use Reed Arena concerts
Valen said:
The university is a draw, it can be lost on us who've been here for more than four years. Driving uber the last 6 years has afforded me to consistently every day meet people who've traveled all over the world to be here. They want to see the university, they want to feel part of the 12th man in some aspect shape or form. It's the largest public university and people want to feel apart of that.
The library is absolutely a huge draw and as a Bush Masters student I may be bias, but a pretty dang good museum that people enjoy and if here on a conference would probably love seeing.
Let's set the numbers aside for just a second, let's talk about the draw factor that people have been caught up by.
Do I think it'll be at a 71% use, eh, unlikely. However, we serve as the hub for many rural areas around us. Let's say if there's 50 events a year at the convention center then we'll say half are actually conventions or conferences people in the state or country attend. So the other half would be events for the people who are here, imagine a pretty kick butt veterans car show (I ran car shows for awhile so it came up first) or like councilman Yancy said the LEGO expo, touring exhibits, shows, concerts, plays, and yes maybe even very optimisticly a boat show.
Where I see people getting held up is that you see convention center and think of suit and tie folk doing their business, but what I'm hearing is a multi use facility that truly could benefit the locals as much as the people just visiting. As much as I love the sketchy carnival in the mall parking lot, I'd love something else to experience a few times a year.
Adding the numbers back in, this 100% without question should NOT happen without a bond vote. It would be our (the tax payer) building and unless we the people truly bought in to what it could be for the future it shouldn't happen.
However, I would challenge even the most critical skeptics to use some creativity and tell me there not at least 1 show or concert or event that could happen there that you would enjoy with your family or kids? Obviously that not enough of a reason to blow tax payer dollars, nor is that what I'm saying, but we have a very unique community and it draws people in. Might as well benefit from it outside of 8 weekends a year
In my own young optimistic perspective
My experience over schedule 40+ events is that the opportunites outside the actual purpose of attending a convention here is equally important to the attendees and more so for spouse and family members, If you attended or planned conventions at all, you know that by 3pm half the attendees are either in the hotel lounge or looking for somewhere to go in the area,
Let's brainstorm a minute, If there was a meeting of the Texas Forestry Association or Farm Credit Association annual meeting here this next weekend and the convention began on Thursday Noon and went through Sunday morning,
If you were the event planner, what options would you schedule and/or suggest for your attendees for Thursday late afternoon evening dining and somewhere to visit?
Again on Friday?
Saturday?
if an attendee brough his/her family, what do the do during the day while the spouse was at the convention activities?
Now look at Waco, Galveston, San Antonio etc, for suggestions,
I am not totally against the city investing in attractions, I think that if the COCS would put in a water park with outdoor and indoor pools like Brenham has it would be used 360 days a year by visitors, visitor families, and local residents and I suspect it would serve the citizens and cover most of its costs. Maybe add the YMCA that a lot of people want on the same property?
TFA has had conventions here. They used the Hilton. I've been several times. It's perfect place for them. So they don't need a government owned venue
Richleau12 said:
Fire the damn city manager. Come the f on Bob.
He can't do it alone, needs three more votes.
BQ_90 said:
TFA has had conventions here. They used the Hilton. I've been several times. It's perfect place for them. So they don't need a government owned venue
I know that....I was the planner on three or four of those, Most of those were one or two day events/one night stay, A lot easier to plan and manage than a 4,000 attended conference over three days,
I managed one in downtown Dallas a few decades ago for the Forest Products Reseach Society and we had about 5,000 attendees staying in five different hotels. I had six volunteer college students who spent the whole first day and last day taking people to and from the airport,
I unequivocally support that this should NOT be the city's sole venture. Without a couple major partners and 100% a bond vote then I'm strongly against it. If the people are not invested in it and see the vision for it then we're waiting our time and money. There's a lot of potential possibilities to find success with it, but it's meaningless if people aren't invested themselves.
To my understanding is they charge a very high fee. To put it in perspective for the Firefighters and first responders and community members to climb the stairs at Kyle Field on 9/11 cost 10,000. I make the climb most years and was baffled when I found out they charge that much to do it. Couldn't imagine what it would be for a concert.
Maybe the cities of College Station and Bryan,as well as the University work something that could be much less than millions of dollars being spent on something that is a crapshoot at best. I've been to 3-5 concerts in Reed that were pretty reasonable and no more costly than one in Austin or Houston- plus didn't have the two hour drive, cost of gas, getting home late, etc.
I think these are some great points, I agree we're far from having a plethora options. We aren't as attractive as a Galveston obviously.
However, please correct me if I'm wrong. I think doing one evening at century square around the shops and the gold would be fun.
The following night going to the chicken and playing pool and experiencing a true Aggieland trademark
Lastly, going to the museum and enjoying dinner at Daisys table inside with the train and helicopter.
Are these very small examples of what I personally would enjoy if I came to town for the weekend.
Now for those who have expressed their own experience in this field please tell me if I'm being too optimistic on how people could experience our community.
However, please correct me if I'm wrong. I think doing one evening at century square around the shops and the gold would be fun.
The following night going to the chicken and playing pool and experiencing a true Aggieland trademark
Lastly, going to the museum and enjoying dinner at Daisys table inside with the train and helicopter.
Are these very small examples of what I personally would enjoy if I came to town for the weekend.
Now for those who have expressed their own experience in this field please tell me if I'm being too optimistic on how people could experience our community.
woodiewood1 said:AggiePhil said:woodiewood1 said:
Also, [Waco, Conroe, and other locations] have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
That's what we're trying to change!!!
You are going to have to do more than throw up a building to attract people to visit the area for any length of time in competition with those that I mentioned, scheduled and managed meetings at unless you give such incentives and discounts that you are operating at a huge loss,
What Waco and Conroe attractions are so above and beyond that of B/CS?
Magnolia Farm and Lake Conroe? What else? Those are 2 of my least favorite cities in Texas.
TXAGBQ76 said:
Maybe the cities of College Station and Bryan,as well as the University work something that could be much less than millions of dollars being spent on something that is a crapshoot at best. I've been to 3-5 concerts in Reed that were pretty reasonable and no more costly than one in Austin or Houston- plus didn't have the two hour drive, cost of gas, getting home late, etc.
No no no. Please do not drag CoB into this.
I agree for a weekend stay, those are all great. Not sure about a week long trade show, convention, trading, etc., just my thoughts though.
Why, they will benefit too- unless CS builds a wall, checks ids and not let any Bryan come to events. 
australopithecus robustus
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A collaborative between the two cities, county and TAMU would be a welcome showing of unity that benefits the entire MSA as opposed to the historical fragmentation/competition status quo.
Perhaps a big reason for the underwhelming amenities here vs MSA size is due to fragmentation vs a singular municipality.
Perhaps a big reason for the underwhelming amenities here vs MSA size is due to fragmentation vs a singular municipality.
TXAGBQ76 said:
Why, they will benefit too- unless CS builds a wall, checks ids and not let any Bryan come to events.
Because they will lose money too.
australopithecus robustus said:
A collaborative between the two cities, county and TAMU would be a welcome showing of unity that benefits the entire MSA as opposed to the historical fragmentation/competition status quo.
Perhaps a big reason for the underwhelming amenities here vs MSA size is due to fragmentation vs a singular municipality.
It's like it's your first day to live here.
Want get people here to spend money? Get a Schlitterbahn!
Before The Cove went locals only, people came from all over to use it. People love water parks where it's blazing hot 4-5 months a year.
Before The Cove went locals only, people came from all over to use it. People love water parks where it's blazing hot 4-5 months a year.
I personally don't want it, don't see how it can break even, much less make a profit. I'm just afraid this going to get crammed down our and waste a lot of money, so I encouraging the three entities to find a way to use a facility that has already had millions invested in it, plus it was designed to be a multi-purpose, multi-use facility, thus eliminating the need to waste more money.
Some very politically active elderly folks want it, so, buckle up.
Hey! We hired an outside firm to tell us what we want to hear, so if it doesn't work… awww shucks..,.
Hey! We hired an outside firm to tell us what we want to hear, so if it doesn't work… awww shucks..,.
Bunk Moreland said:woodiewood1 said:AggiePhil said:woodiewood1 said:
Also, [Waco, Conroe, and other locations] have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
That's what we're trying to change!!!
You are going to have to do more than throw up a building to attract people to visit the area for any length of time in competition with those that I mentioned, scheduled and managed meetings at unless you give such incentives and discounts that you are operating at a huge loss,
What Waco and Conroe attractions are so above and beyond that of B/CS?
Magnolia Farm and Lake Conroe? What else? Those are 2 of my least favorite cities in Texas.
You have good taste.
Yep, kinda sad, but can't just sit idly by, head in the sand and let them do whatever they want to. Guess we need to grow a pair and vote them all out.
TXAGBQ76 said:
Yep, kinda sad, but can't just sit idly by, head in the sand and let them do whatever they want to. Guess we need to grow a pair and vote them all out.
Voter Apathy.
Council races and runoffs are decided by a pretty low number. People care who runs for Congress and is president. Who spends their tax money, city and county, not so much.
Listen. I'd love for CSAN to take it on the chin and all their handpicked folks lost. I haven't seen it in quite a while.
You think there are a lot of inefficiencies with a government entity running something? Well, imagine 3-4 government entities with their hands in the pot!
Agreed, can only do we can. People sit around and complain, but sit on their backsides vs going to the polls.
Not that I want it, but define "elderly"!!
FlyRod said:Bunk Moreland said:woodiewood1 said:AggiePhil said:woodiewood1 said:
Also, [Waco, Conroe, and other locations] have much more options for entertainment and interesting places to visit for attendees and families,
In spite of us who wear maroon glasses much of the time, A&M is not a draw for visitors to a convention center unless they are coming to A&M for an event or meeting, Outside of the Bush Library, there's basically little to see and do here, What would attract a person to come to College Station with their family for three to four days next week?
That's what we're trying to change!!!
You are going to have to do more than throw up a building to attract people to visit the area for any length of time in competition with those that I mentioned, scheduled and managed meetings at unless you give such incentives and discounts that you are operating at a huge loss,
What Waco and Conroe attractions are so above and beyond that of B/CS?
Magnolia Farm and Lake Conroe? What else? Those are 2 of my least favorite cities in Texas.
You have good taste.
Conroe is probably close enough to Houston to drive about hour to a lot of sporting events and concerts, Also there are many more nice restaurants within a few miles down IH45 than we have hear. Nearby airport also,
As far as Waco goes, a quick thought would be they have the following that might interest conference attendees and families,
Cameron Zoo
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame
Dr, Pepper Museum
Mammouth National Mounument
Hawaiian Water Park
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Waco Riverwalk /restaurants
Sunset River Cruise
Waco surf park
Lake sailing tours
The Magnolia stuff
Baylor U, fine arts performances
Waco Art Museum